West Ham United's Brazil star Lucas Paqueta has vowed to continue dancing with his international teammates following criticism from former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
The Hammers midfielder, who has started three of Brazil's four matches at the 2022 World Cup, scored his first ever World Cup goal on Monday night as the Selecao booked their place into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over South Korea.
Paqueta's volley to make it 4-0 led to him dancing on a solo celebration, having danced alongside Brazil teammates Vinicius Jr, Raphinha and Neymar for his side's earlier goals in the game, with Paqueta previously being named as Brazil's best dancer by Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
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Despite criticism from former United skipper Keane, Paqueta has vowed that he and his teammates will continue to dance in their celebrations as it represents their happiness of scoring.
“The dance is a representation of our joy after scoring a goal," said Paqueta. "We don’t do it to disrespect anyone, we don’t do it in front of our opponents.
"We all get together to celebrate. If they don’t like it, there’s not much to say.
"We’ll keep scoring goals and keep dancing. This is a group that is happy to score, to get the victory and the goals.”
Speaking on the celebrations from Brazil's players, including Paqueta, Keane felt that it was disrespectful to have continued dancing in the manner they did for all four goals.
He compared the celebrations to reality show Strictly Come Dancing and was not impressed by the samba rhthym shown by Paqueta and Co.
"Fantastic finish by Vinicius, great start to the game. But I've never seen so much dancing," said Keane on ITV's coverage of the game.
"I can't believe what I'm watching, I can't believe what I'm watching, it's like watching Strictly [Come Dancing]."
"I don't like this. People say it's their culture. But I think that's really disrespecting the opposition.
"It's four goals, and they are doing it every time. I don't mind so much the first jig, it's the one after that, and the manager getting involved. I'm not happy about it. I don't think it's good at all."
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